Local governance program mid-term evaluation : draft report, general conclusions and recommendations

The results of this evaluation are intended to assist USAID in promoting one of its primary goals of strengthening democracy and good governance in Morocco. Conclusions include: (1) the LGP was successful in introducing a large number of activities in pursuit of the objectives of each axis; (2) there have been a number of technical outcomes, such as the successful completion of a number of Local Development Plans (PCDs), the creation or support of Equal Opportunity Commissions (CPECs) and youth councils, and the introduction of a new fiscal administrative system, communication plans, complaint management systems, and internal audits in several communes; and (3) the program was much less successful in promoting expanded participation of citizens, particularly youth and women. This was due mainly to the unfavorable context and resistance of local elected officials, but also to the methods that the LGP employed in dealing with the national government the Directorate of Communal and Local Government (DGCL), the Provincial Government (DCLs), and elected officials at the communal level. These methods weakened the impact of the program and its overall goal of improving local government and building closer relationships between government and its citizens. (Excerpt, modified)